posed, must surely sound strange to Mr. O'C's. ears. I fear he is not aware of the sublimity to which men "of low degree" are exalted by the gospel, without any injury to humility and sobriety. I fear he does not fully understand the Article of "the communion of saints:"it is incompatible with the distinctions which he makes as to men's capacities for comprehending the "high import" of the Scriptures. But let him attend to the sublime prayer of St. Paul for the company of all believers, and perhaps it may impress him with a conviction of his error:— "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." (Eph iii, 14-19.)

SECTION XI.

As this section appears not to contain any thing properly belonging to the present subject, which has not been already noticed, I shall pass it over with observing, that it is not necessary to inquire here, with what views any denominations, or individuals, whatsoever, are "strenuous advocates for making the Bible an inmate of every cottage in the United Kingdom :"-this may form an important separate subject of inquiry.

I have nothing to do with the ridicule, the antithesis, or if there be any other forms of sarcastic and irreverent wit; but to lament, that any thing so unbecoming should be used on so solemn an occasion; and to say, that it is very unlike the spirit of the following declaration of St Paul, "What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice." (Phil. i. 18.)

SECTION XII.

The first sentence presents us with the acknowledged truth," "that every man is too prone to over-rate his own capacity." I do not mean to question it as a general proposition; though I believe there are many instances of false modesty and "voluntary humility," in which persons are restrained from the improvement of themselves and others by uuder-rating their capacities. But what I wish to controvert is the rule laid down, that "this principle" (of over-rating) "is most vigorous in uncultivated minds;" and to notice, that our author, in saying that "no human remedy can, perhaps, be found," but that which he describes, seems tacitly to allow that remedies of another kind may be found. However, I insist not upon this at present: but I think I can confidently appeal to fact, against the manner in which he accounts for the "credulity" and "incredulity" of the lower classes. Is it not evident, that the great majority of our countrymen, instead of an "over-weening confidence in their own judgment," believe that an implicit surrender of it, in all matters of religion, is their bounden duty? And, as to "their slow reception of the most useful improvements submitted for years to their observation" (which I suppose refers chiefly to agricultural improvements)-I think it rather indicates a want of confidence in their own capacity to judge: they prefer the guidance of habit and long established custom and, not being able to afford what as yet they consider the risk of losses, for the prospect of even probable gains,-they choose to follow their old experience, however defective, until the result of many new experiments removes their apprehensions. There is nothing therefore in this topic to discourage the operations of the Bible Society. And it is not true that they flatter" the self-love of the poor man," by "pronouncing him qualified for the study of the sacred oracles without note or comment;" because they inculcate that neither he, nor any other, is qualified for this study in any shape, unless so far as they humbly and unfeignedly join in that excellent prayer, which is used by the Church of England in the name of the whole congregation.-" Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant

that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."

SECTION XIII.

If the picture which Mr. O'C. has drawn in this section of the morals of "Protestant gentlemen," and the religious apathy of the opulent and learned”—be correct; it affords no argument to the lower classes, to receive instruction in the way which he recommends. I heartily concur in his exhortations to amendment; though I cannot equally adopt his comparative prediction. And, while I am sensible of the influence and value of the example, which he wishes to realize, I cannot join in recommending any to postpone the contemplation of that perfect character, who left us an example that we should follow his steps; and who has declared that this is the will of him that sent him, that " every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life"that he is "the way and the truth and the life"-and that "no man cometh unto the Father but by him." The New Testament is the record, where, "we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord" may be 66 changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (John vi. 40. xiv. 6. 2 Cor. iii. 18.) As to what is said of the sum and substance of religion judiciously extracted," &c. &c. I beg leave to refer to what I have already written *.

SECTIONS XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII.

I do not see that the 14th section contains any thing material, which has not been already said and answered. But, in the four following sections, it is attempted to reflect dishonour upon the Bible Society, by accumulated charges against its advocates. These consist principally of fearful intimations, that the Dissenters, and the Cal

* See Chap. ii. Sect. 1. near the end, and Sect. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12.; also part of the Remarks in this Chapter on Mr. O'C's. 6th, 7th, 8th and 9thr Sections.

vinists within the pale of the Establishment, especially those ministers which our author denominates "" evangelical," have formed a conspiracy for the overthrow of Church and State; and that they employ the Bible Society as their instrument. Their indefatigable exertions, under the delusive forms of caricature and ridicule, are brought forward as evidence. But this, at best, is taking for granted the very thing to be proved; namely, the evil of the Bible Society. For if it be not evil, but good; then no blame can be attached to indefatigable exertions; because it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." (Gal. iv. 18.) It is also to be observed, that this direct attack upon Dissenters and Calvinists, implies an unmerited censure upon numerous active members of the Society, who do not belong to either denomination. In corroboration of this evidence, we have a series of quotations, or apparent quotations from conversations, or sermons, or reports, which, with all the connecting assertions, present a picture" (as Mr. O'C. assures us p. 37.) "drawn from real life, the result of personal observation, and of the best information." Now I shall not venture to contradict such an appeal to his own knowledge; but I think I may be allowed to object to hearsay evidence. Our author has not distinguished what part of his proofs is "the result of personal observation," and has therefore impressed a doubtful character upon the whole. Every body knows how much depends upon time, place, persons, and circumstances, in the fair construction of expressions:-yet we are not furnished with these requisites; although abundance of inverted commas give the pages before us a complexion of authenticity. It must be admitted, however, that "the tongue is an unruly evil;" so that it is not improbable Mr. O'C. may have heard, from some person or persons, some of the language with which these sections are interwoven, or something like it. But even upon the worst supposition possible-I would ask, Is it charitable? Is it just ?-to make a great society responsible, for the expressions of any individuals whatsoever? It may be said, he has made references to the Reports of the Society. True: and what then? He has made it manifest that he was unable to substantiate a single accusation against them. For with all his industry, what is the summary of his researches? I give it in his pwn words, (with the alteration of Italics) where he is

describing, in the 34th page, the labours of the Secretaries: For the parent Society" (says he)" and her numerous progeny, they draw up edifying Reports, in which a piercing eye can occasionally discover the halfobliterated track of Calvinism." There is another vague reference to the Reports in the 35th page, with respect to what is called an unwarrantable and ungenerous sophism;" but I do not know where to find it. I cannot assign the same reason for slightly passing over the intelligence (p. 36.) which it is ironically said "every post is expected to bring" of the conversion of the "King of Persia," &c. But I trust that whoever peruses the 11th Report and Appendix of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with an unprejudiced mind, will not consider the documents which relate either to the King of Persia, or the Mufti of the Tartars, or the Bishop of Constantinople, as suitable subjects for ridicule. In this confidence I go on to some quotations, which I confess that I have found almost verbatim, though in a garbled form, in the Appendix to the 8th Report of the Hibernian Bible Society. I allude to the Italics of the 42d page, where our author is proving, that "the whole spirit of the Bible Society's operations, and the language, which they allow themselves and their advocates to use, are calculated to throw discredit and contempt on the labours of our most learned divines, in elucidating the inspired writings." "The Bible Society," (says he) "in their speeches and reports, are perpetually taking credit to themselves for circulating the Scriptures in their "naked simplicity” for diffusing the "pure and unadulterated word of God"for placing in the hands of every individual "the sacred text unmixed with the doctrines of men,”—and for endeavouring to render the Institution "more acceptable to those, who are unwilling to exchange the prophets, evangelists, and apostles, for modern theologues, and who will not submit to take their faith upon trust, and to believe by proxy." After other remarks and indignant questions, it is asked in the 43d page, "Where were the lords spiritual and temporal who are members of the Bible Society, the beneficed clergy,-the opulent commoners,where were the heads of ancient and illustrious families, whose ancestors braved danger, proscription and death, in defence of our civil and ecclesiastical institutions; were they all absent from the general meetings of the